Don't sweat the small stuff

That’s what I said to myself, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. Here’s how that feeling of sheer dread came about:

When one of my clients ask me to come to his home and look at the furniture he wanted me to make, I jumped at the chance. I had already made his wife a desk, a rocking chair for their daughter, three tall display cases with leaded glass doors, as well as three lamps. Yes, I had proved myself and was certain that no challenge was too big for me. So when they said, “We’d like you to make this bedroom set for us”, I nodded with a smile.

That smile was covering for the sheer dread that I felt inside! I looked at that dresser and thought, “Oh, my God! How did they make that thing?” I was sure of one thing: I couldn’t let them down. I did the only thing that I could think of doing, I pulled out my cell phone and starting taking pictures. I wrote down all the measurements. I promised that their cabinets would be finished in a few weeks and was out the door.

Why do I do these things? I’d rather be in my comfort zone when I’m working. I don’t know how that dresser was made, since I wasn’t there. Although it’s not a stretch to believe that I already know the techniques used. I’ll rewire my brain and get it done. I’ll be sweating it the whole way through, but in the end I’ll be thankful for the journey. Tomorrow will be day one. I’ll let you know how it goes…....

Looking forward to seeing the finished project. I am confident you can do it. You are a good woodworker. I just had the same feelings when my daughter asked me to make a crib for my first granddaughter. It turned out great and she was very pleased. It is in my projects if you care to look.

Sit down and make a lot of sketches. Then draw out details & dimensions of your joinery. This thought process will help you when cutting time comes. Don’t be afraid to go back to the customer and re-measure if you are not sure about things. Tackle big projects in smaller steps. Don’t allow deadlines to pressure you into fatigue & mistakes.

Well, as daunting as a large commission may be, the client apparently loves your work and trusts that you will do a fantastic job. Being the artist and craftsperson that you are, you probably need to have a challenge to keep your interest and art keen. Although my commissions aren’t as large and complicated as furniture pieces, I enjoy dealing with each client’s individual needs and it keeps my work valid yet creative. Otherwise I could make all sorts of whimsical designs but they may not all be as usable to a person who needs a walking aide. That is one concept that I insist that my work be practical and usable, not just an artsy piece. Don’t get me wrong, I love art and artsy things but they end up collecting dust and not being used. Meanwhile, between commissions I can create designs to my whim and sometimes be less practical, so I can dance between the lines here!

I look forward to seeing your work through this journey! I know it will be spectacular.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

oh come on now Cathy…this was nothing but bait and hook…...how can we be expected to read a story like this…and you not show us or give us any picture of what the challenge is….....i say …picture….picture…picture…...i cant believe you would do something like this…to your pals…your buddies…your friends….fellow wood workers….....its abdominal…lol….....i still want a picture…am i suppose to live with this suspense until your done…lol…......PICTURE…........GRIZZMAN

Good morning everyone! I woke up thinking about the joints for those pieces. I have to spray the headboard that I made this morning and then off to Plywood Hawaii to buy some birch for the interior cleats and drawer glides.I promise to post pictures as soon as I figure out how to use photobucket. Someone want to give me a primer on that?

Thanks for your support. It means the world to me and probably to my clients as well!Have a great day…......